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By John Henry Grossman
As a portion of his talk on Prof. Hoffmann, given at the 6th Annual Collectors Weekend, our Honorary Lifetime President, Dr. John Henry Grossman, included a discussion of the first contract that was signed by Hoffmann with the Routledge publishing concern. A facsimile of the holograph contract was obtained from Routledge by the Doctor's good friend the late Roland Winder, and a copy passed on to him. The following should provide a bit of insight into the 'rewards' the Professor received for his efforts. "An Agreement made this 5th day of Jan., 1872 Between A. J. Lewis of No. 12 Crescent Place, Mornington Crescent. Eng. of the one part and George Routledge & Sons of the Broadway Ludgate in the City of London, Publishers of the other part. The said A. J. Lewis having proposed to write a work on the art of conjuring to be entitled "Modern Magic" this agreement witnesseth that he shall write the same for the use and benefit of the said George Routledge and Sons, and he here agrees to dispose of the copyright thereof to them in consideration of One Hundred Pounds payable in the manner hereunder stated, 1st the work is to comprise a volume of four hundred printed pages similar in size to the page used in "Every Boys Book". 2nd George Routledge & Sons are to be entitled to publish the same in portions in their periodical called the "Young Gentleman's Magazine". 3rd They are to pay A. J. Lewis the sum of £25 on account paid conditionally on receipt of one fourth portion of the copy and the remaining fourth and final sum of £75 on or before the 2Oth of Jan. y 1873. Provided all the copy is delivered into their hands. 4th Mr. A. J. Lewis undertakes to furnish without further charge, rough sketches and ideas of the diagrams etc. that are to be used in the aforesaid work. 5th Should the copy of the work not reach the extent of 380 pages, Mr. A. J. Lewis agrees to deduct from the consideration provided to be paid him of 100 pounds a sum of money proportionate to the deficiency. 6th George Routledge & Sons agree to supply Mr. A. J. Lewis with twelve copies of the work when published as a volume. 7th Mr. A. J. Lewis also agrees to furnish Geo. Routledge & Sons with a legal assignment of the copyright at his cost if he should be requested. 8th The book to be written under a nom de plume to be agreed on by both parties and the true name of the author not to be published. In witness whereof the aforesaid parties have herewith set their hands.
A. J. Lewis" (Magicol, Number 35, May 1975 pg. 8. Reprinted with permission from Magicol. Copyright 1975.)
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